Kermit Gosnell verdict reached, but reporters told to turn off phones

The Philadelphia Inquirer announced just before 2:30 p.m. that a verdict had been reached in the trial of Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion doctor accused of killing four babies born alive and an adult patient. Jurors have been deliberating for 10 days.

There is a verdict in the Gosnell case, court personnel have told Inquirer reporter John P. Martin. Extra sheriff’s deputies have been ordered into the courtroom, which is now locked. Reporters have been told to shut down their phones.

It’s unclear if requiring phones to be turned off is a routine occurrence. During the Jerry Sandusky trial, Judge John M. Cleland initially said phones had to be turned off, but later allowed them to be used for live-tweeting and live-blogging.